An Introduction to Eradicating Racism

FACULTY: Kevin Baron
COST: TBA
DATES: TBA

Using the framework of the Episcopal Church’s “Becoming a Beloved Community” this introductory course on antiracism will lead participants through five pillars rooted in helping us to live out our Baptismal Covenant; Learning to Live the Beloved Community: the Good News of Liberation for Individuals and Society; Serving Christ in All Persons; Learning the Truth About the Church and Race; Telling the Truth to Ourselves; and the Construction of Racial Identity. Course resources will be used that address systemic racism, identity, and justice. Participants will be asked to examine these concepts through the lens of scripture.

Joining the Jesus Movement

FACULTY: Kate Harrigan
COST: TBA
DATES: TBA

This five-week course module centers on Presiding Bishop Michael Curry calling us to join the Jesus Movement in a loving, liberating and life-giving Way. It is designed to address the ways in which we understand our call to participate in God’s mission in the world and how that call may be implemented in lay ministry or in ordained ministry.

Transforming Life and Faith in the Smaller Parish

FACULTY: Kate Harrigan
COST: TBA
DATES: TBA

Transforming Life and Faith in the Smaller Parish is designed for lay leadership, such as vestries, ministry leadership and clergy who are serving or will serve the smaller parish. The focus is on Pastoral Care and Parish Life and ways to proclaim the Good News of God in Christ. This includes how the congregation provides means of connection and communication, how the successful smaller church vestry is organized and operates faithfully, and how lay ministry is formed, encouraged and strengthened.

Conversations in Celtic Spirituality

FACULTY: Mark Scheneman
COST: $75.00 per person
DATES: TBA

This parish-based program is designed for 5-6 sessions, led by a local convener and mentored by the Rev. Mark Scheneman. Fr. Mark will arrange to visit with the group for its initial meeting and give a presentation overview of Celtic Spirituality and the program.

Foundations for Evangelism: Doing What Matters to God

FACULTY: Deacon Marsha Roscoe
COST: $75.00
DATES: TBA

This five-week course uses Mark’s gospel to explore the critical questions of “who?” and “why?” (more than “how?” and “what?”) to better understand what it looks like to join Jesus in the Jesus Movement. Through deepened spiritual practices, students will begin to cultivate beginning skills for everyday evangelism and invitation. This course is pass/fail.

Designing Dynamic Liturgies

FACULTY: The Rev. Shawn Strout
COST: $75.oo
DATES: TBA

This five-week course will explore principles and best practices for designing dynamic liturgies. The full breadth of the Book of Common Prayer, Enriching Our Worship, The Hymnal 1982, Lift Every Voice and Sing II, Wonder, Love, and Praise, and other liturgical and musical supplements will be discussed. The topics covered include the liturgical year, the Daily Office, the Eucharist, Baptism, Lent and Holy Week services, and special services. Special attention will be paid to smaller-resourced parishes. This course is pass/fail.

Shaped by Faith Basics

FACULTY: Deacon Marsha Roscoe
COST: $150.00
DATES: TBA

This ten-week course is designed to help leadership respond to the practical challenges of ministry: declining membership, diminishing budgets, and depleting spirits. Grounded in the basic missional principles for Christ’s church (invite, transform and send), students are better equipped to address the spiritual realities of the church.  Students will reclaim focus on the purpose of Christ’s church by engaging a variety of tools to configure vital ministries that allow us to serve God’s mission with vitality.

Some of the critical topics covered include:

• Spiritual Transformation Precedes Systemic Change
• Congregational Spiritual Autobiography
• Who are your leaders and how are they selected? (change bylaws if needed!)
• Leadership team characteristics: Behaviors, expectations & faith practices
• Basics for Strategic Planning for Mission
• Sharing Faith Conversations
• Developing guiding principles
• Stewarding Mission
• Community Listening
• Neighborhood Mapping

This course is pass/fail.

The Message of Mission

FACULTY: Deacon Marsha Roscoe
COST: $150.00
DATES: TBA

This ten-week course helps students develop an understanding that the heart of the church’s ministry and mission is rooted in the apostolic witness to the gospel. Grounded in the New Testament Book of Acts, we better understand how Scripture informs the shape and direction for our ministries.  Students explore how the marks of the church as represented in the Book of Acts are embodied in the lives of their local context.  This course is pass/fail.

Community Listening as Evangelism

FACULTY: Deacon Marsha Roscoe
COST: $75.oo
DATES: TBA

This five-week course helps students develop skills for focused listening and explores how to assess needs and possibilities for mission.  Students will be equipped to map their immediate mission field and to identify individuals and organizations with whom they might be in relationship.  Students reclaim the classic understanding of a parish being intimately connected with the community. This course is pass/fail.

Pursuing Excellence in Ministry

FACULTY: The Rev. Dr. Mark Scheneman and The Rev. Dr. Stephen Casey
COST: $75.00
DATES: TBA

In this five-week module, various case studies will be examined and discussed, representing a diversity of styles and settings, but all representing common benchmarks for strong and effective pastoral leadership. Topics will include strategic planning, dealing with conflict, managing change, exercising humble authority, and healthy self-care.